HOW WELL DO YOU LISTEN? Mark 4:23-25 Jesus often said: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Matt 11:15; 13:9; 13:43 To seven churches of Asia: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Rev 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22 Such sayings inform us what is being said is very important, so you had better pay attention and listen! Jesus had same problem we have today - people simply don't listen or don't listen so as to understand

HOW WELL DO YOU LISTEN? Mark 4:23-25 THREE “TYPES” OF LISTENERS Dull of hearing Matt 13:13-15; Heb 5:11 Itching ears 2Tim 4:3-4; 2Tim 4:2 Honest and good heart Lk 8:15; Acts 17:11

HOW WELL DO YOU LISTEN? Mark 4:23-25 WHY GOOD LISTENING IS IMPORTANT It is essential to “blessedness” Matt 13:16-17; 5:6; Eph 1:3 It is essential to saving “faith” Rom 10:17; 1:16-17; Rom 10:14,17; Jhn 20:30-31 It is essential to “bearing fruit” Lk 8:15; Col 1:6 It is essential to avoid “drifting” Heb 2:1-3 It is essential to avoid “rejection” & “condemnation” Matt 10:14-15; Acts 13:44-49; Matt 12:41-42

HOW WELL DO YOU LISTEN? Mark 4:23-25 SUGGESTIONS FOR BETTER LISTENING Heb 5:11 Make listening an act of worship. Listen from first to last Look at the speaker Read along in your Bible Listen with faith Heb 4:1-2 Listen to do Ezek 33:30-32; Jas 1:22-25

HOW WELL DO YOU LISTEN? Mark 4:23-25 Listening to God is very important! Isa 55:2-3 God does not listen when sins are between us and Him Isa 59:1-2 If we listen to God He will extend His mercy Isa 55:6-7 - offered through Jesus, God's Son Lk 9:35 Have you heeded Him by obeying His word? Or does Jesus' question in Lk 6:46 apply to you?